Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Iaconis.
The Center for Audio and Visual Expression, known as C.A.V.E. – was first conceived in 2001 as a series of traveling art events showcasing visual art, music, film and performance art. Fueled by the exploding art scene in Los Angeles, C.A.V.E. established a permanent gallery home in Venice Beach, California in 2008.
Founded by former artist & art teacher Patrick Iaconis, C.A.V.E. Gallery was created to provide an exhibition space and public forum that supports THE “Urban Contemporary Art Movement” that is fresh, energetic and thought-provoking.
Patrick – please share the C.A.V.E story with us.
C.A.V.E. Gallery presents a new art exhibition each month featuring a select roster of emerging local, national and international artists who are inspired by the Lowbrow, Pop Surrealist, and Street Art movements (Urban Contemporary Art) – and who are at the same time ambitious about challenging creative styles and techniques, establishing their own place in art history with an exciting and powerful momentum.
C.A.V.E. Gallery also strives to provide a welcoming venue where viewers are encouraged to learn about the artist and engage with the artwork. Opening receptions also include music from local musicians, DJs, live painting & video installations.
With a commitment to global partnership, C.A.V.E. Gallery has also hosted fundraising exhibitions for art therapy/charity projects, such as a project at Daraja Academy for Girls in Kenya with Global Artery and a project in Haiti with International-Child-Art-Foundation.
C.A.V.E. Gallery is a 1,600 sq. ft. gallery space located at 55 N. Venice Blvd, an eclectic and trend-setting commercial street in Venice Beach, California. Venice Beach has been home to a vibrant art scene for several decades (it was a center of the Beat generation in the 1950’s and 60s), is the skateboard capital (home to the legendary “Dog-Town Z-Boys” and the birth of “vertical” skateboarding) and has an international reputation as a creative and progressive community. Visitors from all over the world frequent C.A.V.E. Gallery as they come to Venice Beach to experience innovative movements in art and culture. This is our 3rd location in Venice since 2008, we started on Rose Ave, then we were located on the trendy Abbot Kinney Blvd for over 7 years – and now we are very happy to be only one block from the beach at our current space!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We have been very lucky to have worked with so many talented artists, from all over the world, and we’ve hosted over 125 exhibitions – and participated in over 10 art fairs in Miami, NYC, LA, San Diego & Europe.
The struggle is like any other small business, as there is only 2 of us – and we do everything – and I mean everything – from washing the windows, to hanging every piece of art, to sweeping the floors, to maintaining the website, to the weekly social media posts.
There have been many slow months – were we had to pay the bills with our own money, and there have been many up-hill battles & struggles, and we put every ounce of blood, sweat & tears into this gallery, every waking moment of the day, for real!
But we have built a strong following of supporters & collectors from all over the world – and locally too – but we feel that there are so many locals (West-siders) that don’t know about us – so we try to engage more local art fans/collectors.
C.A.V.E. GALLERY – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
C.A.V.E. Gallery presents a new art exhibition each month featuring a select roster of emerging local, national and international artists who are inspired by the Lowbrow, Pop Surrealist, and Street art movements (URBAN CONTEMPORARY ART MOVEMENT) –
and who are at the same time ambitious about challenging creative styles and techniques, establishing their own place in art history with an exciting and powerful momentum.
Every second Saturday is the opening reception for the new shows – featuring a new exhibition, local DJs spinning great tunes & local beverages (local breweries & wineries).
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is enjoying what we do – and selling art makes all the gears turn & bills get paid & I do enjoy the ‘sale’ – but success to me is really the fun we have working with amazing & talented artists, from all over the world – and finding homes for their artwork/paintings.
Plus I meet a lot of interesting people who are art lovers/collectors & I do enjoy that as well.
So success is the journey – not the end result.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cavegallery.net
- Phone: 310.428.6387
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @cavegalleryphotos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cavegalleryphotos/
- Yelp: CAVE GALLERY Venice Ca
Image Credit:
Patrick Iaconis
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